Kasvu Open Nordic –program takes most promising growth companies to Swedish markets
Telia Company, Landis+Gyr and Nordea want to support the internationalisation and growth of 15 Kasvu Open companies by offering them a two-day internationalisation trip to Stockholm. The programme is aimed at companies that produce solutions in the digital, energy and IoT fields and for whom Sweden could be a relevant market in the future.
The companies that won or received an honourable mention in the Digital, Fast Track Energy and the Internet of Things Growth Paths were already rewarded by the programme last spring at the final events of these Growth Paths. The six companies that were selected in the spring are Treamer Oy and Sniffie Software Oy from Helsinki, Opti Automation Oy from Espoo, Aurelia Turbines from Lappeenranta, TreLab Oy from Tampere and Cozify Oy from Espoo.
"The selected companies represent strong expertise in fast-growing sectors with plenty of room for new innovative solutions. At the Kasvu Open event in Sweden, the companies have a chance to get sparring and insight from local players and experts, which is of greatest value when planning to scale operations to international markets,” says Ari Tolonen from Landis+Gyr.
During the autumn, the programme partners also selected an additional nine representatives from these industries among both this year’s Kasvu Open participants and participants from previous years. These nine companies are Angular Velocity Oy from Vantaa, BioGTS Oy from Jyväskylä, Ficonic Solutions Oy from Jyväskylä, Flexound Systems Oy from Espoo, FinnCode Oy from Ylivieska, Fourdeg Oy from Espoo, Congrid Oy from Helsinki, SEP Solutions Oy from Oulu and Vigiar Solutions Oy from Jyväskylä.
"Kasvu Open Nordic focuses on digitalization, IoT and the energy industry. All of these areas are at the heart of a New Generation Telco, so for us, the selection was extremely interesting and also challenging. We focused on the Swedish and Nordic growth opportunities of the companies and I believe that together we managed to select nine promising companies for the event and are eagerly expecting to host their visit to Stockholm", says Ivo Kukavica, Innovation Catalyst within Division X at Telia Company.
The Kasvu Open Nordic programme comprises a networking event and Runway Day, held in Stockholm from January 16th–17th, 2017. At Runway Day, companies will spar with local growth partners, expand their networks and explore their business opportunities in Sweden.
"I anticipate that this Nordic program will help us to support most of the selected companies so that they can start or accelerate their business operations in the Swedish market. Sweden is nearby and it is a good-sized market from the viewpoints of demand and investing. As needed, Nordea’s support network and services available in the Nordic countries will also be harnessed to assist companies in their efforts,” says Vesa Riihimäki from Nordea.
More information:
Nina Rautiainen, Partner, Kasvun Roihu Oy, p. +358 44 044 1111
nina.rautiainen@roihu.com
Tuukka Toivonen, Head of Service Business and Partner Sales, p. +358 50 353 2184
tuukka.toivonen@landisgyr.com
Mika Raitola, Innovation Manager, Telia Company Oy, p. +358 40 827 1019
mika.raitola@teliacompany.com
Sampsa Laine, Head of Business Banking, Nordea Oyj, p. 358 40 555 9035
sampsa.laine@nordea.com
Vesa Riihimäki, Branch Manager, Nordea Oyj, p. +358 40 826 2009
vesa.riihimaki@nordea.com
The Kasvu Open Nordic is produced by Kasvun Roihu Oy. Kasvu Open is organised by the non-profit-distributing Kasvu Open Oy, whose stakeholders are Central Finland Chamber of Commerce, Kasvun Roihu Oy, Jykes Oy and Aava&Bang Oy. The organisation is Finland's largest company sparring program that supports the growth and internationalisation of small and medium-sized businesses in different industries all over Finland, free of charge. Altogether 349 companies and over 950 Finnish business experts participated this year. The culmination of the season is the Kasvu Open Carnival on October 26th-27th, when the best growth companies in Finland will be selected from the 80 finalists.
